Easy homemade root beer ice cream is made with only 5 ingredients and two steps! It’s rich, creamy, and scoopable with hardly any work involved.
Why this recipe works
Root beer ice cream combines rich vanilla with spiced, herby root beer extracts to make the perfect ratio of creamy, dreamy bliss. It tastes quite similar to a classic root beer float, which my kids went crazy over growing up, except it’s entirely frozen. I first made and shared this ice cream recipe back in 2011, and I’ll say, it still holds up to its rave reviews. The root beer flavor isn’t overpowering, which I think is the trick to a delicately crafted ice cream based around an ingredient that can sometimes be overwhelming.
Making homemade ice cream requires a little patience, as it takes a few hours to fully set into its creamy state. But it’s incredibly easy to prepare using an ice cream maker. Whisk everything together, drop it into the ice cream maker, and let it work its magic. Then, all that’s left is to let it chill in the freezer for about 4 hours until it’s scoopable and just the right consistency. Easy peasy.
I’ve used this ice cream in my root beer float cocktails as well (if you needed a little extra inspiration!).
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CONDENSED MILK – Sweetened condensed milk is key. Not only is it the ingredient that sweetens the ice cream, but it also makes it ultra creamy and decadent. Sweetened condensed milk helps prevent ice crystals from forming, thanks to its high sugar content.
HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM – You’ll find this in most ice cream recipes out there. When whipped, air bubbles are trapped, leaving you with fluffy, scoopable ice cream. Again, it’s part of the reason your ice cream is actually creamy, not icy, and it gives it some structure thanks to those air bubbles.
MILK – The 1% milk balances out all the creaminess, because without it, your ice cream would be overly rich and sort of dense. This also works to make the ice cream a bit softer and easier to scoop. It’s all about the balance, baby.
EXTRACTS – If you can’t seem to find root beer extract in stores, you can easily find it online! This recipe uses extracts because it provides much better flavor. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the cream-to-liquid ratios or flattening carbonated soda when doing so. It’s much easier this way!
How to Make Root Beer Ice Cream
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Whisk all ingredients together, then place in ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer’s directions.
TIP – After whisking the ingredients, it’s best to put them in the fridge for a couple of hours so they are nice and cold when they go into the ice cream maker. It’s not required, but it does help the process.
- Turn churned ice cream into a freezer container and freeze overnight, or for a minimum of 4 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
If your ice cream didn’t thicken after being churned in the ice cream maker, it’s usually due to it not being cold enough. Be sure to check out the manual on your specific ice cream maker, as most call for you to freeze the insert overnight. It also helps to have all of your ingredients nice and cold before beginning. A little trick I like to do when I have the extra time is to whisk everything together and pop it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before churning. That way, everything is properly chilled before going in.
If stored in an airtight container, your homemade ice cream should last up to 2 weeks in the freezer. There are no preservatives, so it doesn’t last quite as long as the store-bought stuff.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your root beer ice cream float-style scooped into a large cup topped off with root beer soda! It goes without saying that it’s excellent scooped into a bowl or cone as well, especially when topped with a maraschino cherry and a little whipped cream. Swoon. Hope you love it!
More Ice Cream Recipes
- Rocky Road Ice Cream
- Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
- Vanilla Blackberry Jam Ice Cream
- Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
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Root Beer Ice Cream
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk one can
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup 1% milk
- 4 teaspoons root beer extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Be sure to prep your ice cream maker, most require you to freeze the insert overnight.
- After whisking the ingredients it’s best to put them in the fridge for a couple hours so they are nice and cold when they go into the ice cream maker. It’s not required, but it does help the process.
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together then place in ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's directions.14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 cup 1% milk, 4 teaspoons root beer extract, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Turn churned ice cream into a freezer container and freeze overnight, or a minimum of 4 hours.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- If stored in an airtight container, your homemade ice cream should last up to 2 weeks in the freezer. There are no preservatives, so it doesn’t last quite as long as the store-bought stuff.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
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Pat says
Amanda, It’s Christmas so I made eggnog root beer ice cream. Used soda stream root beer with cream, egg nog and vanilla. Easy and delicious.
Amanda Formaro says
Interesting! I never would have thought to put those flavors together :)
Jennifer says
I saw this on a 4th of July roundup and just had to pin it.
Adica says
I made this for my boyfriend’s birthday party, and it was a big hit. He loved it. It tasted just like a root beer float. I could only find root beer candy flavoring by LorAnn, so I just added the flavoring by taste. I used 2 drams (about 2 tsp). Thank you for sharing!
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you enjoyed it Adica, thank you!
Ford says
How much ice cream does this make? I’m planning on using a 4-quart ice cream maker, and I need to know whether to double or triple.
Amanda says
About 1.5 quarts
Wendy A. says
Yes! I find it completely frustrating that these recipes seem to never say how much they make! AND, why would ANYONE go to all the trouble of making ice cream (even the electric makers are back-breaking – let alone the hand-cranked) for only a few people?! I have dozens of people over on the Fourth of July and use two different gallon-sized ice cream makers to give everybody a small bowlful. Root beer ice cream is my next try! Last year, it was honey ice cream, the year before it was licorice, the year before that it was grape, I could keep going..!
Erin @ Making Memories says
This looks totally heaven. We just made vanilla (my first time EVER) but I was thinking root beer sounded so much better. Totally making this tomorrow. Thanks!
Angie @ Bigbearswife says
My mom loves Root Beer Floats! I need to make this for her :)
Beth @ Hungry Happenings says
Oh, my nephew is staying with us next week and he loves root beer floats. I’ll have to make this for him.
Jey says
Amanda, this looks amazing! How did I never know that root beer extract even existed?! Can’t wait to try it.
Amanda Formaro says
I know, when I saw it in the store several months ago I was excited!
Curt says
Sounds great. I’m a huge root beer fan too. Plus a huge ice cream fan!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Curt, I’m pretty fond of ice cream myself :)
Pattypro says
Amanda, I never would have thought you would change the name, based on what a couple of us wrote. I have friends from NJ, and there, they call a root beer float a black cow. Clearly, it’s a regional thing. (I’m from RI.) Still, you must certainly try a (real) “black cow!” : )
Amanda Formaro says
No biggie! Just give me an excuse to make a REAL black cow ice cream now! :)
Pattypro says
Yay for all of us!!
Katherine Martinelli says
Root beer floats were my favorite growing up and this ice cream brings me right back. Yum.
Dzoli says
I am in proces collecting summary recepies to make..especially new ones to me.Spring just started and we will be full into those.So thsi icecream is very welcome;)
Sue says
This ice cream looks amazing! We call a root beer float made with chocolate ice cream a black cow:)
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Sue! Since you are the second person to say that, and I was not aware of that (though it totally makes sense!) I have changed the name of this to Root Beer Ice Cream and WILL be trying a chocolate version, yum!
Katrina says
We love root beer floats here, too. I’ve been meaning to get some root beer extract and I need more sweetened cond. milk!
Micha @ Cookin' Mimi says
I am going to have to try this soon. I love root beer floats and root beer ice cream sounds delicious.
Amanda Formaro says
This ice cream went FAST. They are begging for more already!
MaryBeth says
Wonderful Picture…even better product, looks amazing!
Calogero says
Really congrats for your photos.
Pattypro says
Where I’m from, a Black Cow is made with chocolate ice cream. Regardless, this looks and sounds delicious.
Amanda Formaro says
Ohhh that sounds amazing too — hmmm might have to try that as well!
David Hall says
Is anybody old enough to remember the candy on a stick Black Cow?
Amanda Formaro says
Hi David, yes I remember them! They’ve actually just recently brought them back too! http://www.amazon.com/Black-Chocolate-Caramel-Candy-24ct/dp/B004YLD2YM
Ann says
You know, I’ve heard of black cows before, but I had no idea what was in it. Sounds delicious and I think it’s always a good time for ice-cream!
leslie says
Dont worry…I cant get enough ice cream right now. I have a new one going up on Monday! I am loving your Black cow flavor!!!